Human library: Tales from the past - First Nations Australians

"Aboriginal flag mural, Eveleigh Street Redfern, circa 2003" by Patricia Baillie, collection owned and licensed by City of Sydney Archives is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

As part of NAIDOC Week, Azure beach library will be hosting a human library event, featuring several Indigenous elders from the local area who will be sharing their stories and history. This event aims to create an environment for open discussion and dialogue; as storytelling is an integral part of Indigenous culture. Attendees will gain a further understanding of the history of Australia and Indigenous culture, and participants will feel seen, heard, and understood; having been  able to share both their past traumas and their pride in this setting. 

Australia has a complicated history with its Indigenous population, the rightful owners of this land. Many Australians are aware of the history of the land, but not the ongoing and profound impact it has had on First Nations Australians. 

By providing the space and opportunity to ask questions and share stories, we can help to strengthen bonds and connections within our community, provide a deeper understanding of Indigenous history and culture; and figure out how to better help the traditional custodians of this land.

What is a human library?

A human library is an opportunity for learning and growth; where members of the community can volunteer to become "books"; sharing their life stories by being "borrowed" for a conversation by attendees, creating an environment of open discussion that encourages diversity and learning, and aims to remove stigma and prejudice.

Event details

When: 12th of July, 2025

Where: Azure Beach Public Library courtyard

Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm

Price: Free

Note: To register for this event, you must be a library member. Click here to go to our website and sign up now! Registration is completely free, and gives you access to a world of opportunities!

Questions and enquiries

More information on human libraries can be found here

More information on NAIDOC Week can be found here

For further information, contact the library on (02) 9123 4567 or at library.contactus@azurebeach.gov.au

Post by Erika Hutchings

Unity From Diversity - Let's Bridge Worlds For Australia Day

Image created in Canva

Australia Day serves as a celebration of our nation's vibrant diversity. There is power in forming unity from this diversity, since we all collectively contribute a wealth of knowledge, culture, and prosperity to Australia.

We invite everyone to join us before Australia Day in a special human library event, where we will bridge your world to another through the stories shared by 4 diverse living 'books'. 

These 'books' are:

Larry A Gumbaynggirr elder, whose story speaks to First Nations' enduring connection to the land and Australia's complex history.

Image from Adam Jones

Aisha A refugee from Syria, whose story highlights resilience and hope for those seeking sanctuary in Australia.

Image from UN Women Europe and Central Asia

Sally A second-generation Chinese Australian, whose story demonstrates the impact of generational changes in Australia.

Image from Ai Yah

Edmund An immigrant from the United Kingdom, whose story brings up experiences shaped by migration and adaptation.

Image from Travis Nep Smith

With this event, you can choose one of the above 'books' for a 30-minute session where they will share their story. To register, please do one of the following by 11th January 2025:

• Click HERE for the online registration form
• Send an email to hello@azurebeachpubliclibrary.gov.au
• Call us on (02) 9717 ####
• Speak with a staff member at Azure Beach Public Library

Date: Saturday 25th January 2025

Time: 11am to 1pm

Location: Azure Beach Public Library

Cost: FREE

A complimentary multicultural morning tea will also be served during this event!

Only 16 sessions (4 for each 'book') are available, so be sure to register as soon as possible for a better chance to converse with your desired 'book'.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any children 12 years or under attending the event will need to be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian.

For more information about what Australia Day is all about, click HERE.

Is this the first time you have come across a human library event? Click HERE to find out more about how these events work.

For a translation of this event information in your preferred language, click HERE.

We look forward to seeing you at this event!

ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE- an Indigenous Human Library Event

Always was, Always Will Be

An Indigenous Human Library

Hosted by the Azure Beach Library

In theme with NAIDOC week, The Azure Library is proud to host this years human library "Always Was, Always Will Be"- a chance to sit down and engage with Indigenous peoples and to open a discussion without our community.

Within Australia, the harrowing effects and of imperialism, and colonization inflicted on Aboriginal and Torres has been a harrowing stain on this countries history, and still remains a present issue. With recent re-assessments of Australia Day, and an ever growing interest in Indigenous Rights, "Always Was, Always" will be invites willing participants to engage in dialogue with indigenous people, and to better understand the current issues that effect them.

Our event will be hosted in the Azure Room, at 44 Lighting Way, Azure Beach NSW 2100, at 11am on the 7th of July.

For more information on Human Library Events Visit Here
For more information on Indigenous Peoples, Visit Here

For more information on events, Visit our official website or contact us at hello@azurebeachpubliclibrary.gov.au .
(02) 9717

Blog post by Max Mitchell

Shades of the Rainbow: Mardi Gras and the Indigenous Community - a human library event

 

For further information on what to expect from a human library event, check out the official Human Library Organisation website.

by Aimee Crighton

Engage, Converse, Learn with Human Books

Event Details

Attribution: Howard County Library System from Flicker.
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

• Date: 7 September 2022
• Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• Venue: Azure Beach Library Main Branch, 12–18 Core Street, Azure Beach, NSW 2007
• Bookings and further details are available though Eventbrite via the link below:
• https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/azure-beach-living-library-256486302975

You've no doubt heard of usual paper books, after all they have existed for thousands of years. You may have been introduced to e-books and audiobooks. 

Behold an exciting new experience coming to Azure Beach Library, a Human Library.

You might be thinking at this moment, "what on earth is a human library?"

Let us briefly explain what it is, just to get you in the loop. Everyone has their own unique story to tell but they might not have the platform to. A human library solves that problem. A group of people which we call human books come in the to the library. There, YOU, yes you, can borrow the book, though you cannot take them home. They will tell you their story, feel free to ask questions, get to know each other. It's all part of human libraries.

For more information on human libraries, visit Human Library Australia via this link: https://www.humanlibraryaus.org/about.

Our theme for this human library event is indigenous literacy as this particular event is happening on Indigenous Literacy Day.

Here are some of the human books coming to the library:

Joan Amedius, Co-Founder of Indigenous Reading Equity Australia
Image attribution: Simon Fraser University from Flickr. CC BY 2.0

Teather Villams, Specialist in Indigenous literacy
Image attribution: Heather (Gruber) Williams from Flickr. CC BY 2.0

Beau Ghinghinda, Local Indigenous Elder
Image attribution: Eyesplash from Flickr. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 

Made by and authorised by Warwick Senjak.

  

AZURE BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY

HUMAN LIBRARY 

DON'T JUDGE BOOK BY ITS COVER

                                    https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/569846159112394809/

DATE: 21.03.2023 - HARMONY WEEK 2023

TIME: 6PM -7PM

LOCATION: AZURE BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY

Bookings are essential.

              Azure Beach Public Library -  02 9719 1212

What is a Human Library?

The Human Library is an idea first started in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2000. 

It aims to address people's prejudices by helping them 

to talk to those they would not normally meet 

with the objective being to 'unjudge someone'.

 

Human book from our multi-culturally diverse community, 

supported by a facilitator and a library staff member, 

will share their stories in a relaxed setting with plenty of time for questions and reflections.

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/1337074880273502/

ABPL Human Book 4 theme

 Indigenous / Multicultural / Refugee / Mental health

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please Read Before Attend Event

All participants attending events require a booking.

Please contact the library to cancel your booking if you cannot attend.

If you feel unwell, please stay home, and contact the library to cancel your booking.

Azure Beach Library staff may photograph and film this event. Your image may be reproduced by Azure Beach Community Libraries in publications and promotional materials (including online publications), on its website, and on social media. If you do not wish to be photographed and filmed, please advise the library staff at the event's start.

-If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Hailey Choi at 02 9719

 1212, Hailey.Choi@AzureBeach.nsw.gov.au

- Further information on Harmony week https://www.harmony.gov.au/